Межзвёздный скиталец

           Andmightwellhavedrownedinthisdrinkofmen—Iwhohadneverknownamother’sbreastinthebriefnessoftimeIhadlived—haditnotbeenforLingaard.Butwhenhepluckedmeforthfromthebrew,TostigLodbrogstruckhimdowninarage.Werolledonthedeck,andthegreatbearhounds,capturedinthefightwiththeNorthDanesjustpast,spranguponus.

           “Ho!ho!”roaredTostigLodbrog,astheoldmanandIandthewolfskinweremauledandworriedbythedogs.

           ButLingaardgainedhisfeet,savingmebutlosingthewolfskintothehounds.

           TostigLodbrogfinishedthemeadandregardedme,whileLingaardknewbetterthantobegformercywherewasnomercy.

           “Hopo’mythumb,”quothTostig.“ByOdin,thewomenoftheNorthDanesareascurvybreed.Theybirthdwarfs,notmen.Ofwhatuseisthisthing?Hewillnevermakeaman.Listenyou,Lingaard,growhimtobeadrink-boyatBrunanbuhr.Andhaveaneyeonthedogslesttheyslobberhimdownbymistakeasameat-crumbfromthetable.”

           Iknewnowoman.OldLingaardwasmidwifeandnurse,andfornurserywerereelingdecksandthestampandtrampleofmeninbattleorstorm.HowIsurvivedpulinginfancy,Godknows.Imusthavebeenbornironinadayofiron,forsurviveIdid,togivethelietoTostig’spromiseofdwarf-hood.